Xolos practicing at Petco Park this week

The Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles, the reigning kings of Mexican soccer, will train at Petco Park through Sunday as part of the club’s effort to become a bi-regional fixture in Southern and Baja California.

“Club Tijuana is aware of its extended fan base and the hype that has splashed over the fence into Mexican-American communities with a large following in San Diego,” a club release said. “That is why the Xoloitzcuintles have chosen America’s Finest City as a place to spend an entire week of two-a-days as part of its preseason.”

The Clausura season of Liga MX doesn’t begin until next month, but the Xolos are also preparing for the 38-team Copa Libertadores, the annual club championship for the Americas that is televised in 135 countries. The draw for the 2013 tournament is Friday.

The Xolos won the recent Apertura season of Liga MX, beating 10-time Mexican champ Toluca in the two-leg final. It was Tijuana’s first major sports title, setting off spirited celebrations on both sides of the border that, in quarters, haven’t stopped.

Thursday’s afternoon training session at Petco is open to media but closed to the public.